You will experience some pain, swelling and bruising immediately after breast implant surgery.

Your chest may feel tight and your breathing may be restricted. This is normal and your symptoms will start to improve over the next few weeks.

You will usually rest at the hospital or clinic in a semi-upright position. This will help keep you comfortable and minimise swelling. You will be given painkillers if you need them.

After returning home, you can continue to take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, you should not take ibuprofen if you have stomach, kidney or liver problems, or if you have had them in the past.

If you have asthma, ibuprofen may also be unsuitable for you. Check with your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Going home

After having breast implant surgery, you may either be allowed home the same day or you may need to stay in the hospital or clinic overnight.

On returning home, you will need rest to give your body time to recover. Avoid excessive use of your arms and chest area as it may cause irritation and bleeding.

Following surgery, your breasts may feel hard and you may experience some painful twinges or general discomfort. These symptoms will sometimes persist for a few weeks.

Aftercare advice

To get the best results, follow the aftercare advice of your surgeon. You will usually need to attend a series of post-operative appointments so your surgeon can check your recovery.
 
Following breast implant surgery, avoid:

• getting your wounds wet for one week
• sleeping face down for one month
• physical exercise for four weeks
• heavy lifting for three to four weeks
• driving for at least one week or until you can perform an emergency stop without discomfort

Some surgeons also recommend wearing a tight-fitting sports bra 24 hours-a-day for up to three months following breast surgery.

It is recommended you take around two weeks off work after the operation to fully recover. You should be mobile from day one and back to full exercise within six weeks. You should keep the incision sites out of direct sunlight for about a year.

Make sure you keep a record of the details of your breast implants. You should make a note of the:

• manufacturer
• style
• serial number
• batch number (also known as 'lot' number) 

If your surgeon does not provide you with this information you should ask for it and keep it in a safe place.

When to get help

Contact your GP or surgeon immediately if you have any unexpected symptoms or if you experience severe pain. Possible warning signs include:

• severe pain in your breast(s)
• redness of the skin of your breast(s)
• an intense burning sensation in your breast(s)
• unusual, unexpected or excessive swelling in or around your breast(s)
• deflated breast(s)
• a smelly or coloured discharge from your wounds
• a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or more
• any lumps or aching that are causing you concern